GTS Tsunami - TRD coilovers and TRD big brake kit

[rodriguez]

Hi guys,

this is my first thread and post on this forum as I've been doing a lot of lingering and have learned a whole lot on this forum. What surprised me though was the few reviews and pictures of the TRD coilovers and TRD big brake kits.

Anyway, I just purchased a 2004 GTS tsunami edition with 95,000km (59,000 miles) on it completely stock and one of the first things I wanted to do was obviously lower it and put great brakes on it, both being eye appealing and performance enhancing. This car is pretty much brand new and I want to put the best parts into it, especially TRD parts due to the oem fitments.

My questions are, since I am from Toronto, Canada, would anyone know any places/websites that I can perhaps order brand new TRD coilovers and TRD big brake kit. Sorry to be picky, but I do also prefer that the parts be made in Japan. I've googled and search all over this forum and I am yet to come to a conclusion. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

[Muirner]

Welcome, and congrats on a nice car. If you want to get rid of Tsunami parts let me know first ;). Pics are more than in order for you.

If your looking for TRD Coilovers and BBK (Big Brake Kit) look in the vendor sales section. I beleive AKA Rafa has them both for sale at a really good price. If i can offer two cents, I was going to upgrade my brakes recently when i did a full front brake job, but after searching I came to the conclusion that the celica came with very adequate brakes and unless your racing, you can save almost a grand and spend it elsewhere.

WELCOME!

[ThunderDRAGON]

hey, i've got a gts tsunami too and am looking into lowering my car using the TRD coilovers cause i want to stick with the TRD theme.

Anyways, you may want to do more research with the TRD coilovers because apparently when you set them to the recommended lowest setting, they making some sort of knocking noise when cornerning hard or going into potholes. If it's not at its lowest setting, i don't believe there is a noticeable difference in drop. From reading some of the forums, it may be because the car is under more stress since it is lowered, so the car may require a front and rear strut or sway bar. Another reason may be the endlinks hitting. Also, the damping force can't be adjusted, so the ride is pretty rough stiff. I know "stealthjet" had a squeaking problem with his coilovers, but i'm not sure who installed it. I just want to avoid this problem. I'm only letting you know about the bad, but there are good reviews too.

With the TRD bbk, I believe you need to get at least 17" wheels and it also must have the correct clearance.

I am also new to this, so i may be wrong...still researching. If you find any more positive or negative reviews about the coilovers that would be great. Please post some pictures of ure car and update us on your progress. BTW what color is it? :gap:

[Muirner]

When you compress a coilover to its lowest setting you are eliminating all of the previous spring travel that exisited. With the spring compressed your adding tension, thus making the spring harder to compress and your ride quality will suffer.

Many folk here will indicate coilovers are not the best ride there is. And compressing ANY coilover to it's lowest setting... Will have a very similar result. I'm currently lowered on lowering springs and stock struts (I purchased it this way). When i hit a hard bump, bridge lip, or pot hole trust me, i know about it.

Edit: I'm probably not using proper terms, but i'm a computer geek... sorry.

[ThunderDRAGON]

the problem with lowering springs is that the life of the stock struts dramatically reduce the more you lower it. Once the stock struts are blown, they will need to be replaced...so IMO it is better investing in something better that will last longer and perform better.:D

[XBernie]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/LittleGuy4545/Celica%20Meet%20-%20August%202010/CelicaMeet-August2010017.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/LittleGuy4545/Celica%20Meet%20-%20September%202010/CelicaMeet-September2010055.jpg

[Squishy]

I also have a tsunami and am looking for coilovers!... Blue as well, also in Canada...

[ThunderDRAGON]

does anyone else have reviews about the TRD coilovers and side pics on a celica?...it would be really helpful. Thanks

[rodriguez]

Thanks for all the feed back guys...
I will be posting a few pics once i clear the snow off my car lol
So as much as I've read, do you guys think its better to just purchse a strut and spring combo rather than coilovers? I pretty want the exact same setup as xbernie does. the exact hight and the exact weehls lol TE37 ftw!
Because I do plan on purchasing the trd strut and springs from rafa....what do you guys suggest?

[ThunderDRAGON]

those pics are not Xbernie's car, it is "stealthjet"s...the guy i mentioned earlier. Those are pics of the car with the TRD coilovers on; however, it has the mysterious clunking noise, which i also mentioned above....dunno if it is resolved yet.:shrugs: